Scottish borders railway opened by Queen promoted by supermodel

Scheduled services begin on the longest domestic railway built in the UK in over a century – target a million passengers a year

Scottish Borders Railway began service on Saturday 5 September with a special ‘Golden Ticket’ Day. Public service began on 6 September. On 9 September, HM Queen Elizabeth officially opened the Railway with a special steam train trip, which also marked the day she became Britain’s longest-serving monarch.

46 years and 8 months since the ‘Waverley Route’ closed, scheduled services have begun on the new Borders Railway.

Borders-turned-global fashion brand, Pringle of Scotland joined VisitScotland to launch this exciting new journey with supermodel, Edinburgh International Fashion Festival Founder, and current Pringle muse, Anna Freemantle.

Scotland’s textile industry has customers in over 150 countries across the world, demonstrating the demand for globally recognised fabrics, tartan, cashmere, lace, knitwear, tweed and leather for fashion, interiors and technical uses.  Other famous brands from the Scottish Borders include Lochcarron of Scotland, Johnstons of Elgin and Hawick Cashmere of Scotland.

The Borders Railway will take passengers on a 30-mile, 55-minute journey from Edinburgh through Midlothian to Tweedbank in the Scottish Borders.  The £294m project has taken just over two years to construct and includes ten stations.

It is hoped Scotland’s newest scenic railway will be a popular addition to the country’s tourism portfolio, opening up opportunities for visitors to explore Midlothian’s mining past and the Scottish Borders, an area which has an international reputation for exceptional cycling, beautiful textiles and stunning landscapes, famous for inspiring Sir Walter Scott.

Iconic attractions along the route include Rosslyn Chapel made famous by the DaVinci Code, Abbotsford House – the home of Sir Walter Scott, the popular National Mining Museum Scotland and breathtaking Melrose Abbey. VisitScotland is supporting attractions, accommodation providers, local producers and pubs and restaurants in the vicinity of the Borders Railway in developing news ideas, products and experiences.The original Waverley Route ran south from Edinburgh, through Midlothian and the Scottish Borders, to Carlisle. The line was named after a series of novels by Sir Walter Scott and served as an important export channel for both the wool and coal industries of that time.

Infrastructure Secretary, Keith Brown said: "It’s been a lifetime in the making for many people in the Borders and Midlothian, and there can be few projects which have generated the levels of excitement and anticipation we have seen around the opening of the Borders Railway.

"That a scheme of this magnitude – the longest domestic railway built in the UK in over a century – has been delivered on time and on budget is testament to those who have worked on it, who can now look with a great deal of pride on the growth this railway will deliver for the communities it serves, as well as the Scottish economy as a whole.

"As of this weekend, there are so many more possibilities for people in the Borders and Midlothian – access to new work, learning and social opportunities, as well as new business and industry links. The Borders Railway has become a symbol of this golden age for Scotland’s railways, and it will be the vehicle for a new prosperity for the communities on the route."

Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland said: "The golden age of rail has definitely returned to Edinburgh, Midlothian and the Scottish Borders! The start of services on the Borders Railway is a truly historic moment for Scotland, the UK and the world, bringing to back to life these regions that played such an integral role in the forming of many of Scotland’s now global industries.

Kenneth Lawrie, Chief Executive of Midlothian Council said: "With four new stations and direct rail links this will link to a network of walking and cycle routes accessing the county’s acres of green space and linking its town centres.  Integrating rail with other transport modes around the station hubs will give easy access to housing, work, tourist attractions and further education establishments including Edinburgh College, and Newbattle Abbey College.

"The opening of the Borders Railway is keenly anticipated in Midlothian. The new line will bring great opportunities for the residents and communities of Midlothian and visitors alike."

Scottish Borders Council Leader, Councillor David Parker, said:  "It is hoped one million passengers a year will be using the railway within five years of it opening. With half hourly services to Edinburgh and steam and charter trains, our numerous world class attractions will be more accessible than ever before for tourists, who will be given a warm Borders welcome when they arrive.

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